Generosity at
First Church
rom the earliest days of the Christian Church, we have been a
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uniquely hopeful people. Not necessarily optimistic, but hopeful. Members of the church have seen too many hungry neighbors to be optimistic, and they have fed too many neighbors not to be hopeful. We have witnessed too many homeless brothers and sisters to be optimistic, and we have housed too many siblings not to be hopeful. There is a tension between the problems we witness and our responsibility to offer solutions. The problems are too great, and we are too few. The weight is too heavy for any one person, so we share the burden together.
e continue to hope, to feed, and to help because of What God Has Done.
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Our efforts alone will not be enough to solve the problems of our time, but we continue to hope. When our community acts together, children are fed, single mothers are housed, and the elderly are cared for. When we consider what God Has Done, we find faith that God will continue to work in the life of this community.
our time do not afford us the luxury of simply maintaining. Instead, led by faith, we must become the church our community needs us to be. This means moving beyond stability into growth. This means building the church to meet our community’s needs today and tomorrow. We can have hope, take this leap of faith, and begin building for an uncertain future because of What God Has Done.
his year, I ask you to take a leap of faith in your pledge. The demands of
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Pastor Jon
Submit Your Pledge
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pledging?
Pledging is the act of declaring a specific financial commitment to First Church over a specific period of time (for the annual pledge campaign, one year’s time). It is a spiritual discipline, rooted in scripture, of prayerfully considering what portion of the resources with which each of us has been so blessed we will share back with the church over the course of that period.
What is the pledge campaign at First Church?
The pledge campaign at First Church takes place each fall and is the annual church-wide initiative of considering and declaring our individual financial commitments to First Church for the coming year. On the basis of these commitments, our church leadership is able to plan its budget for that coming year.
What do pledged dollars pay for?
Your pledge dollars, broadly speaking, pay for all the things that collectively comprise our “life” as a church each year: the costs associated with our calendar of worship, educational offerings for children and adults, social gatherings for our parish community, and our ministry to those beyond our church walls. From heat and electricity to the glorious music of our choir each week to the buildings and grounds that make First Church a safe and welcoming space, your pledge dollars make the life we share together possible.
Why does pledging matter?
The importance of pledging is twofold: First, pledging is a spiritual discipline of prayerful generosity that our faith tradition calls on us to engage in; it is a practice that is a fundamental aspect of our shared life as a church. Second, pledging is important because it is the means by which our church leadership knows what financial resources it has to plan for the coming year programmatically and operationally.
How much should I give to the pledge campaign?
The spiritual practice of giving to the church is grounded in the tithe, emphasizing concepts of proportional giving and giving back to God and the church as a priority. 10% is the standard, but some begin with 5%, or even 1%, if 10% feels out of reach to start.
We encourage you to pledge an amount that is significant in your charitable budget and prioritizes First Church. A pledge should be in an amount that is personally meaningful to you.
Can I give without pledging?
Yes. We are always grateful for the generosity and support of all members and visitors in whatever way it is given. We encourage and place particular emphasis on pledged giving because of its rooting in our spiritual tradition and well as the important fiscal planning that it facilitates.
What are First Church’s other sources of income?
We receive income supporting our general operating budget from a variety of sources, including event space rentals, lease agreements, and some additional / limited funding released annually from our endowment. That said, the single largest source of income to our operating budget comes from individual pledges and giving.
Does First Church receive money from the Presbytery of Long Island?
No. On the contrary, First Church pays a per capita to the Presbytery of Long Island each year out of its overall income. This practice is required for all churches in the Presbytery of Long Island.